Razorbacks fall to Rutgers

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (ArkansasRazorbacks.com) – Senior wide receiver Cobi Hamilton put up the performance of his career breaking the SEC and University of Arkansas records for single-game receiving yards as the Razorbacks fell to Rutgers 35-26 in front of a crowd totaling 72,543 inside Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium on Saturday night. Hamilton finished the night with 303 yards and three touchdowns, which tied the UA single-game record.

The Texarkana, Texas, native had a career day as he set career highs in receptions (10) and receiving yards (303). Hamilton's 303-yard receiving game broke the school record set by Jarius Wright against Texas A&M in 2011. During that game, Wright put up a 281-yard performance.

Senior quarterback Tyler Wilson went 20-for-40 with 419 yards and three touchdowns. With his 419 yard performance, he became the sixth Razorback in school history to reach 5,000 career passing yards (5,191 yards).

Senior punter Dylan Breeding set a new career high with a 72 yard punt, besting his previous high of 70 yards against LSU in 2011. Breeding ended the evening with six punts for 295 total yards with three inside the 20-yard line, including a fourth-quarter punt that was downed at the 1.

Senior running back Dennis Johnson broke the SEC career kickoff returns record. With three tonight, Johnson now has 113 in his career, breaking the previous record of 112 held by Brandon James from Florida (2006-09).

On the first drive of the game, Wilson ignited the crowd when he launched a 54-yard pass to Hamilton that set up a 37-yard field goal by kicker Zach Hocker, 3-0 Arkansas.

The second score of the game was nearly déjà vu as Wilson again connected with Hamilton on a 57-yard pass to put the Razorbacks up 10-0 to close the first quarter.

Rutgers shortened the Razorback lead in the second quarter with a 10-yard touchdown pass to bring the Scarlet Knights within three, 10-7. With 1:30 left in the first half, Rutgers took the lead on a 19-yard touchdown pass, 14-10.

To open the second half, Rutgers put together a 10 play, 75-yard drive, scoring on a 38-yard touchdown pass and making the tally 21-10.

The Razorbacks put together a six-play, 52-yard drive that was reminiscent of the offensive story the whole game, as Wilson connected with Hamilton twice for a total of 46 yards. The drive resulted in a 27-yard field goal by Hocker as UA cut the lead to 21-13.

Rutgers drove 75 yards down the field and scored on a two-yard touchdown pass to put the Scarlet Knights up 28-13 over the Razorbacks.

The Razorbacks marched 74 yards down the field in five plays in the fourth quarter. Wilson threw a bullet to Hamilton for a 10-yard touchdown as the Wilson-Hamilton connection continued and Arkansas pulled within 28-20.

Wilson launched a rocket to Hamilton once again on an 80-yard pass play that resulted in a touchdown to bring the Razorbacks within two of the Scarlet Knights, 28-26.

Rutgers answered the Razorbacks just two plays later, as the Scarlet Knights scored on a 60-yard touchdown pass for the final margin of 35-26.

The Razorbacks will travel to College Station, Texas, to take on Texas A&M next Saturday. The game will kick off at 11:21 a.m. and be televised on the SEC Network.